John McGahren is the Princeton litigation practice leader and deputy chair of the firm’s global environmental practice. John counsels clients on litigation, enforcement, and transactional matters. He prosecutes and defends citizen suits, Superfund and RCRA disputes, Clean Water and Air Act litigation, state law actions, and natural resource damage claims. He represents clients in commercial litigation, products liability, toxic tort, class actions and government contract claims. John frequently provides counsel on US federal and state regulatory matters and investigations.
John served as a federal mediator for the District of New Jersey and as a state mediator for the New Jersey Supreme Court Civil Mediation Program. As part of his volunteer work, he has been a member of the board of directors of NJ Law and Education Empowerment Project, which empowers urban youth from underserved neighborhoods to perform at high academic levels.
Before practicing law, John was a licensed professional engineer in the US Environmental Protection Agency Region II Superfund program, working on sites in New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico.
Litigation
Enforcement and Administrative Proceedings
Pro Bono Litigation
Transactions
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Listed, Lawdragon 500, Leading Environmental & Energy Lawyers (2021)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year, Environmental Law, Princeton (2019, 2022)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation – Environmental, Princeton (2024, 2025)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Environmental Law, Princeton (2017–2025)
Band 1, Environment, New Jersey, Chambers USA (2021–2024)
Ranked, Environment, New Jersey, Chambers USA (2006–2020)
Leading Lawyer, Industry focus: Environment: litigation, The Legal 500 US (2022–2024)
Recommended, Industry focus: Energy litigation: electric power, The Legal 500 US (2023, 2024)
Recommended, Industry focus: Energy litigation: oil and gas, The Legal 500 US (2023, 2024)
Recommended, Dispute resolution: Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: toxic tort, The Legal 500 US (2020)
Recommended, Industry focus: Energy litigation: conventional power, The Legal 500 US (2020–2022)
Recommended, Industry focus: Environment: litigation, The Legal 500 US (2020, 2021)
Recommended, Industry focus: Environment: regulatory, The Legal 500 US (2016–2024)
Member, Law360, Practice Group of the Year, Environmental (2017, 2019)
Listed, Super Lawyers Business Edition (2011–2013)
Listed, New Jersey Super Lawyers (2006–2013)
Past Member, Panel of Arbitrators and Mediators (1992) and Environmental Panel (1997), American Arbitration Association
Member, West Virginia Bar Association
Member, US Court of Federal Claims Bar Association
Past Member, American Society of Civil Engineers
Past Member, American Water Works Association
Licensed Professional Engineer, New York (1989)
Certified, OSHA Hazardous Materials Handling (1986)
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. A description of the selection methodology for the above awards can be found here.